The defendants are vindicated by judicial decision. The victim’s family and friends are unhappy that justice has not yet assisted them with closure. They are further horrified to see private and sensitive photos of their dear one being circulated in public. This case has taken an unprecedented proportion because of the persona of the victim. Michaela Harte was a high profile celebrity within the political, social and sporting elite of Irish aristocracy. Thus the repercussions affecting our diplomacy, judiciary, police, tourism, journalism and more importantly our expat community living, working and studying in Ireland and the UK.
 
The real culprit(s) is still free. This has been a murder case. It’s well known in criminal psycho-pathology that murderers would always strike again. It is now a matter of policing our safety and security. But the MCIT has been left badly bruised with its inhumane methods of investigations. Confession without corroboration of elementary DNA evidence. Was there pressure for a quick conviction? If so, where from? The police is a department of the Home Office, another ministry held by the Prime Minister himself. Time for a separate ministry rather than more powers to the PM?

“Adding insult to injury!” claim the Irish lobbies electronically urging for a boycott to Mauritian tourism, in reaction to the publishing of sensitive photos of the victim with indecent innuendoes. The PM was quick to state that the press leak was from a defence counsel. Still, the source must have been from within the police investigating team! Who? Can we still have faith that officers paid by the public purse don’t sabotage the judicial process for private interests? Have these photos been privately circulated  in the public domain would they have had any sort of influence in the psyche of the jury?

It’s all very well that the messenger is shot! Arresting the editor of the paper for his insensitivity in publishing the photos will in no way resolve the deeper element of trust in our institutions. Do we have to bear another ‘confession’? A complete audit of the management protocols of the police service  is well overdue.

The media, police and judiciary, the whole country is now under international scrutiny.